Carlisle Shocked By Son's 'Coming Out'

The Go-GO'S star Belinda Carlisle was shocked when her son announced he is gay - because she feared his sexuality would ruin his dream of a career in politics.Carlisle admits she was stunned when her 17-year-old son James Duke Mason 'came out' in 2005 - and she immediately began worrying for his safety. She tells Attitude magazine, "I have to say even though it wasn't that much of a surprise, it was a shock. When he told me I was driving and I had to pull the car over. It is different when it is your child. It's not bad or good... but you start thinking, and I don't mean this negatively, 'Is there something I've done?' I didn't quite understand. More than likely it was a genetic thing. "I worried for his safety... He came out to his school before he came out to my husband. And I was like, 'Can't you wait?' He had to make a big announcement - it's no one's business what your sexuality is. I worry about him. He bought this t-shirt that I think is asking for trouble of two gay men holding hands. I said, 'You can't wear that on the street.' He's so out that I would like it if he reined it in a bit. But he's living in provincial France, he's nothing to compare it to. It's hard for him. He's had a few bad meltdowns being a gay teenager (living) in the middle of nowhere." But the singer hopes James' sexuality won't inhibit his hopes of a political career: "Things have changed. There's pockets of people who would never accept a gay politician. But I think they just need education. It might take someone like him who is vocal to change people's minds."